GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Michigan Tech hockey team advanced to the 59th annual Great Lakes Invitational Championship Game after defeating Miami 5-2 in the first semifinal on Sunday at Van Andel Arena. Stiven Sardarian had three points, and five different Huskies found the back of the net as Tech improved to 11-6-2 overall.

Tech will play No. 3 Michigan State in the title game at 7:07 p.m. on Monday. The defending champions defeated Ferris State 5-2 in the late semifinal. The game will be a rematch of the 2023 GLI Championship, which the Huskies won in a shootout after a 3-3 tie.
 
"Really, it was a 3-2 game," Tech coach Bill Muckalt said. "Their goalie was awesome on some really quality looks we had.
 
"These games are really important for us if we have any aspirations to be in the national tournament. The history of this tournament is a big deal for our team. This is a tournament that can springboard your team into the second half of the season. Tomorrow's game will be important for a number of reasons."
 
Miami (10-7-2) opened scoring 9:47 into the game when Michael Quinn took a shot from the high slot through traffic that found its way in. Ryan Smith and Vladislav Lukashevich assisted on the play.
 
Joe Prouty tied the game, scoring his first as a Husky at 15:47. He put in his own rebound with assists going to Stiven Sardarian and Isaac Gordon.
 
Tech took the lead 2:05 into the second period when Carson Birnie finished off a centering feed from Tom Leppa. It was. Birnie's second goal of the season—coming in the last two games.
 
The RedHawks tied it at three 3:17 later on a goal by Ryan Smith.
 
It was all Black and Gold from there. Jack Anderson scored the eventual game-winner as he finished off a passing play from Stiven Sardarian and Reid Daavettila at 9:47 of the second. For Anderson, it was his second goal of the season, and Sardarian recorded his nation-leading 20th assist.
 
Stiven Sardarian and Tom Leppa added empty net goals for the final tallies. Sardarian's was a full-length of the ice goal from Max Koskipirtti for his ninth of the season. Leppa's was unassisted and his third of the season.
 
"I've been hearing that this is one of the best experiences we'll have this year," said Jack Anderson. "It was a great atmosphere to play in, and I'm looking forward to another big game tomorrow.
 
"I love this playing for Tech," Sardarian said. "We have the best fans. I'm just enjoying my last year. I love my teammates and coaches. This is the best time of our lives, so I'm just enjoying it."
 
Shots favored the Huskies 33-28. Owen Bartoszkiewicz made 26 saves for his 11th win of the season and the 21st of his career. Matteo Drobac stopped 28 shots on the other side of the ice.
 
The Huskies were 4-for-4 on the penalty kill and 0-for-2 on the power play.
 
Miami and Ferris State will meet in the GLI Third Place Game at 3:37 p.m. to begin the second day.